IP-LM Critical Statement on History and Contemporary Congregational Leadership: Chris

MacDonald-Dennis
Having been a history minor in college, I believe strongly that history has much to offer
us. It allows us to think critically about narratives that have developed over time and, in doing so,
provides us with a way to develop the meaningful interpretations necessary to examine the
events that shape modern society. Additionally, the study of history can show us perspectives
from different groups, genders, or classes who may have varying views of the events that have
unfolded in the past, and it can provide a platform for authentic understanding in a complex and
ever-changing world. This is no less true for contemporary congregational leadership.
The study and understanding of the history of Christianity can be critical for current-day
pastors as they navigate the challenges of living in a 21st century postmodern world.
Understanding the history of Christianity means knowing about not only its internal and
institutional development, but also in its relationships to the surrounding culture, institutions,
movements, philosophies, and religions. This broadens the parameters considerably, to the point
of touching upon all the major facets of Western civilizationwhich provides the context for
contemporary ministry. Thus, history helps us understand how we relate to the society at large.
Moreover, church history involves understanding the various movements and theologies that
have existed throughout our history. It allows for pastors to take different parts of our heritage
and utilize them for our current age. For instance, there have been a spate of recent books by
Christian pastors teaching us about ancient Christian ritual that serve to bring us closer to God in
our daily lives.
Historical study helps us to understand how we reached the point where we are today.
The present has its roots in the past, and knowledge of that past is necessary for understanding
the present. For example, many commentators claim that American Christianity and American
capitalism have become one and the same. How is it that many see Christianity in this country as
simply the cheerleader for U.S. hubris? This condition is traceable in large part to the ways that
Christians of an earlier time brought Christianity in line with prevailing American cultural
values. Awareness of this development alerts a pastor to the fact that aligning American ideals
with Christianity was a process; thus, it can be undone. We also can learn from those who,
during this time, railed against Christianity being linked to industrial capitalism. We can also see
the considerable pastoral leadership it took (and it takes) to remind church members that Jesus of
Nazareth would have harsh things to say about American values and practices.
Thus, there is a particular use of history that becomes an aid to understanding the present.
This applies to more mundane matters as well such as: Why are there so many different Christian
denominations? Why do their theologies, church order, and worship practices differ so? The
answers can be found in the historical people and circumstances that lie at the foundation of the
various Christian groups and denominations. Clearly, we cannot escape history; we are all caught
up in its effects. But we can minister with greater understanding (and thus, perhaps, with greater
effectiveness) if we know something of the history that has produced the present moment.
Lastly, the study of church history helps us to see things as a whole. It connects our
present moment with the long past of Christianity and sets the stage for the future. We are thus
allowed to see something of the pattern of our attempt at understanding God and the Christ-event
throughout history. This aspect of comprehending church history fosters a sense of continuity
and identity with earlier generations of Christians. As we become familiar with the lives and
beliefs of Christians of previous eras we are struck not only by how they differ from us but also
by how much we have in common with them; we are granted a sense of identity with them and

of our own continuity in the historical stream of Christianity. In terms of congregational

leadership, we can learn from studying how leaders of the past handled various challenges they
face.
The challenges that I see facing Christianity in the current day have to do with inclusion
and theological diversity. Because I intern at a church in which church members come from
many Christian backgrounds, I see many struggling to find a place in Christianity when they
have been told that they were not welcomed as full human beings. As a church that is
predominantly LGBT, many of our congregants have been excluded from the church throughout
most of Christian history. While gays and lesbians have been welcomed into our church,
transgender folks are often misunderstood and not welcomed into our community in the ways
that they should. Since the inclusion of gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals is an issue that the
UCC has struggled with for over forty years, we as a congregation can learn from this struggle.
What were the ways that congregations became open and affirming? How might we replicate
that process for our trans brothers and sisters?
Gender is another area in which congregational leadership is needed. There are a number
of women in my congregation who were raised in church denominations that did not allow
women pastoral leadership. One of the stated missions of our church, thus, is spiritual healing
and reclaiming Christianity. How can history help us lead a congregation that affirms women
and challenges patriarchy? History often only remembers the misogynistic teachings of the
church fathers and the oppression of women. A glance over the past two thousand years of
church history gives the impression that women always occupied a much lower religious position
than men, and that it was divinely ordained for them to do so. However, a close analysis of the
earliest church will reveal clearly that womens position in what would become known, as
Christianity was not always this.
What can we learn from this early church period? I believe that this historical era shows
that women were integral to the beginning of Christianity; thus, they are critical to our religious
identity. We cannot truly be one church without women and men side-by-side, leading the way.
This also reminds me that misogyny in the church is something that need not be there. We must
work diligently to eradicate it from our midst so that all become one with Christ. History shows
us that sexism need not be a part of Christianity. The resistance to Christian sexism throughout
history can also teach congregational leaders how to create a church that is liberatory for women.
Another challenge that face contemporary pastors is the fact that those entering our
churches come from varied church backgrounds and see Christianity very differently. Because
people are not expected to attend church as a matter of course, those who do attend mainline
Protestant churches come for different reasons. In my congregation, I have those who were
raised in conservative religious communities while some congregants were not churched as
children. These people understand the Christ event very differently; thus, I must be comfortable
with a plurality of theological views.
Knowing church history helps to illuminate and clarify Christian theology so that I might
be prepared for the postmodern world of the 21st century. The doctrines we teach and the
theological systems to which we adhere did not drop down from heaven. In addition, an
acquaintance with the historic theological discussions shows us how Christian orthodoxy
developed as earlier Christians intellectually engaged the Biblical materials and came to a
consensus concerning their major teachings. The theological thinking and argumentation of those
Christians can inform and guide us in dealing with those doctrines with which they struggled
first.

When we speak of pastoral leadership, we mean the work that pastors do in giving
direction, equipping, and motivating members of a congregation to participate in the
congregations mission in its local community and beyond. By this definition, almost everything
that a pastor does, whether preaching a sermon, teaching, or engaging in what some call "vision
casting," contributes to his or her exercise of leadership. But some tasks are ones in which
pastors more directly exercise leadershipfor example, administering the congregations affairs,
including attending congregational meetings. Also, important is equipping members for their
ministries.
1.Thankful Humility: Learning about those who have gone on before us helps us have a more
appropriate attitude of thankfulness and humility in the light of all that has gone on before us.
2. Theological understanding: Understanding church history helps you understand theology
better. The history of the church is in many ways a history of theological discussions and
debates.
3. Better Personal Theology: Since church history is about theology, one will hopefully have a
more thoughtful coherent understanding of your own theological views, so one doesnt have to
rely on others.
4. Open-Mindedness: Learning about various views within the history of the church will
hopefully help one become more open to disagreement, once one realizes that the church has
always been full of disagreements. Learning why people one differs with came to their viewpoint
will probably help one feel more sympathy for their view, even if one still disagrees.
5. Practical Help: Knowing what previous Christians have thought through and struggled with
will possibly help give us answers to our issues. It certainly will help us realize that we are not
the first to struggle with the things that are often sources of debate and discussion today.